Key input device

ABSTRACT

A “Fn” key included in control keys is located adjacent to, for example, a first cursor movement key (for leftward movement) which is located on the right side of a space bar. A second cursor movement key (for rightward movement), a third cursor movement key (for upward movement) and a fourth cursor movement key (for downward movement) are arranged adjacent to the first cursor movement key. The arrangement of some data keys and control keys is adjusted so that the space bar can be situated in a predetermined position in the keyboard. When one of the first through fourth cursor movement keys is depressed with the Fn key depressed, a keyboard controller generates a key code with a control function corresponding to the combination of the depressed keys.

This is a division of application Ser. No. 09/666,107, filed Sep. 20,2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,535,144, which is a division of applicationSer. No. 09/082,381, filed May 21, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,163,279,issued Dec. 19, 2000, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a key input device applicable to electronicdevices such as a personal computer, a word processor, etc., and moreparticularly to a key input device applicable to highly portableinformation terminals such as computers of a note book size, of a mininote book size smaller than the note book size, of a palm top size, etc.

The entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 9-135295 filedMay 26, 1997 are incorporated herein by reference.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a highly portable personal computer with akey input device. In this specification, the key input device includes akeyboard with a plurality of keys and a keyboard controller foroutputting a key code corresponding to a depressed key.

In the computer shown in FIG. 1, a keyboard 1 is formed integral with acomputer main body 2. The keyboard 1 is electrically connected, via akeyboard controller for outputting a key code corresponding to adepressed key, to internal units built in the main body 2, for example,main unit including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and peripheral unitssuch as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read OnlyMemory) drive, etc.

The keyboard 1 has substantially rectangular data keys 1 a includingcharacter keys, numeral keys and code keys, substantially rectangularcontrol keys (hatched keys in FIG. 1) 1 b including an “Enter” key, a“Home” key, etc., and function keys 1 c for effecting predeterminedfunctions.

The data keys 1 a are linearly arranged in rows. The data key rows arearranged in slanted columns such that they deviate from each other at apredetermined pitch in the row direction. The data keys 1 a arranged asabove are put substantially between the control keys 1 b, and a spacebar included in the data keys 1 a is put between some of the controlkeys 1 b. More specifically, the control keys 1 b-1 to 1 b-4 indicatethe “Home” key with a function for moving the cursor to a leftmost rowposition, an “End” key with a function for moving the cursor to arightmost row position, a “PgUp” key with a function for returning thecursor by one page, and a “PgDn” key with a function for advancing thecursor by one page, respectively. The function keys 1 c are arranged inthe uppermost row of the keyboard 1. Further, the above keys arearranged to meet a predetermined standard such as the ASCII.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show examples of the keyboard 1 with the above-describedkey arrangement. FIG. 2 shows a key arrangement for USA, while FIG. 3shows a key arrangement for Europe. The overall key arrangement of eachof FIGS. 2 and 3 is similar to that of FIG. 1. However, sign assignmentsto the data keys 1 a slightly differs between FIGS. 2 and 3, sincefrequency in use of each sign differs among different countries.Furthermore, the length of the space bar differs since the number ofdata keys 1 a differs. In each of the key arrangements, however, thecontrol keys 1 b-1 to 1 b-4 are arranged at a right end portion of thekeyboard.

Recently, more compact and hence more portable personal computers havebeen developed. In accordance with the development, it is necessary tofurther reduce the sizes of the keyboard 1 and each key thereof. Thesize of each key is generally represented by the distance (key pitch)between the center points of adjacent data keys. To meet the recentdemand for reduction of the keyboard size, the key pitch may become 13mm or less if the same number of keys as in the conventional case shouldbe arranged on the keyboard. Where the key pitch is that small, theoperability of the keys may well reduce, resulting in erroneousoperation of the computer.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a key input device with akeyboard of a restricted size which secures a key pitch sufficient tokey input.

It is another object of the invention to provide a key input device witha keyboard which has a reduced number of keys arranged in a devisedmanner, a sufficient key pitch secured due to the reduced number ofkeys, and sufficient operability and functions realized by the devisedarrangement of the keys.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a keyinput device applicable to a computer system having a display unit,comprising: a keyboard including a plurality of keys; and a controllerconnected to the keyboard, for generating a key code corresponding to adepressed one of the keys; wherein the plurality of keys include fourcursor movement keys for moving a cursor which appears on the displayunit, and an Fn key, and if an area of the keyboard is divided intoleft-hand and right-hand areas in accordance with a predetermined homeposition, the Fn key is located in one of the left-hand and right-handareas, has the four cursor movement keys located.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provideda A key input device comprising: a keyboard including a plurality ofkeys; and a controller connected to the keyboard, for generating a keycode corresponding to a depressed one of the keys; wherein the pluralityof keys include a data key group and a plurality of control keys, thedata key group consisting of a plurality of substantially rectangulardata keys which are linearly arranged in rows, the rows of the data keysdeviate from each other by a predetermined key pitch in a row direction,the plurality of control keys are adjacent to the data key group andhaving predetermined functions, and at least one of the data keys whichis located in a line where a predetermined one of the control keys islocated, has a shorter row-directional dimension than other data keys.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provideda key input device comprising: a keyboard including a plurality of keys;and a controller connected to the keyboard, for generating a key codecorresponding to a depressed one of the keys, wherein the plurality ofkeys include a data key group consisting of a plurality of substantiallyrectangular data keys which are linearly arranged in rows, the rows ofthe data keys deviate from each other by a predetermined key pitch in arow direction, the data key group includes first and second data keysindicative of a home position for an operator of the key input device;and the first and second data keys and data keys of the data key group,which are located in a same slanted column as each of the first andsecond data keys, have a shorter row-directional dimension than otherdata keys.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provideda keyboard comprising: four cursor movement keys for moving a cursorwhich appears on the display unit; and an Fn key, wherein if an area ofthe keyboard is divided into left-hand and right-hand areas inaccordance with a predetermined home position, the Fn key is located inone of the left-hand and right-hand areas, has the four cursor movementkeys located.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provideda keyboard comprising: a data key group; and a plurality of controlkeys, wherein the data key group consists of a plurality ofsubstantially rectangular data keys which are linearly arranged in rows,the rows of the data keys deviate from each other by a predetermined keypitch in a row direction, the plurality of control keys are adjacent tothe data key group and having predetermined functions, and at least oneof the data keys which is located in a line where a predetermined one ofthe control keys is located, has a shorter row-directional dimensionthan other data keys.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is providekeyboard comprising: at least one function key for effecting apredetermined function; at least one control key; and a data key group,wherein the data key group consists of a plurality of substantiallyrectangular data keys which are linearly arranged in rows, the rows ofthe data keys deviate from each other by a predetermined key pitch in arow direction, the data key group includes first and second data keysindicative of a home position for an operator of the key input device,and the first and second data keys and data keys of the data key group,which are located in a same slanted column as each of the first andsecond data keys, have a shorter row-directional dimension than otherdata keys.

In the present invention, a key pitch sufficient to key input is securedin the compact keyboard. Further, in the key input device of theinvention, the key pitch is further increased by reducing the number ofkeys, and the key arrangement is devised such that the keyboard hassufficient functions even with the reduced number of keys.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth inthe description which follows, and in part will be obvious from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectsand advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means ofthe instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed outhereinbefore.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate presently preferred embodiments ofthe invention, and together with the general description given above andthe detailed description of the preferred embodiments given below, serveto explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is an external view showing a conventional portable computer;

FIG. 2 is a view showing the key arrangement of a conventional keyboardfor USA;

FIG. 3 is a view showing the key arrangement of a conventional keyboardfor Europe;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram, showing a computer system to which a keyinput device according to a first embodiment of the invention isapplied;

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the key arrangement of a keyboard for theUSA to be applied to the computer system of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the key arrangement of a keyboard forEurope to be applied to the computer system of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a view, useful in explaining a first feature of the keyarrangement shown in FIGS. 5 and 6;

FIG. 8 is a view, useful in explaining a second feature of the keyarrangement shown in FIGS. 5 and 6; and

FIG. 9 is a view, useful in explaining a second embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The first and second embodiments of the invention will be described withreference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 4 shows a computer system to which a key input device according toa first embodiment of the invention is applied. This computer has thesame appearance as that shown in FIG. 1 except for the key arrangement.

A computer main body 10 includes a CPU 11 for controlling the overallmain body 10. A memory 12 is connected to the CPU 11 via a bridge 13,and stores programs, data, etc.

The bridge 13 is connected to a system bus 14 for controlling datatransfer between the CPU 11, the memory 12 and the system bus 14. Thesystem bus 14 consists of, for example, a PCI bus, and is connected toeach structural element of the computer 10. Specifically, the system bus14 is connected to a real time clock (RTC) 15, a memory 16 which storesa BIOS (basic input/output system), a card controller 17, a displaycontroller 18, a hard disk drive (HDD) 19 and a keyboard controller(KBC) 20.

The real time clock 15 deals with time information on date and time andstores information relating to the system environment. The memory 16stores the BIOS which is a control program depending upon the hardware.To make the BIOS rewritable, a programmable nonvolatile ROM (forexample, a flash memory) is applicable.

The card controller 17 is connected to a card slot 21 for controllingdata transfer between the system bus 14 and a modem card or a memorycard inserted in the card slot 21.

The display controller 18 is connected to a display 22 formed of a CRT,an LCD, etc. for displaying image data on the display 22. The hard diskdrive 19 stores data in a hard disk using magnetism. The keyboardcontroller 20 is connected to a keyboard 21 with a plurality of keysarranged in a manner described later. The keyboard controller 20generates a key code corresponding to a depressed key and supplies thecode to the system bus 14.

As described above, the KBC 20 and the keyboard 23 constitute the keyinput device in this specification.

The computer system 10 has, for example, a length of 210 mm, a width of115 mm, and a height of 34 mm (when the system is folded). Further, thissystem is as light as about 850 g even when it includes a standardbattery.

Referring then to FIGS. 5 and 6, key arrangements of the keyboard 23will be described in detail. FIG. 5 shows a key arrangement for the USA,while FIG. 6 shows that for Europe. Each of the key arrangements has thefeature of the invention which will be described below.

As is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the keyboard 23 has a plurality ofsubstantially rectangular data keys 111 including character keys,numeral keys, code keys, etc., substantially rectangular control keys(hatched keys in FIGS. 5 and 6) 112 including an “Enter” key, a “Shift”key, etc., and function keys 113 for effecting predetermined functions.

The data keys 111 comprise a plurality of data keys arranged in rows.These data key rows are arranged in slanted columns such that theydeviate from each other at predetermined pitches in the row direction(for example, each row deviates from the adjacent upper row by ½ apitch, ¼ of a pitch and ½ a pitch in this order). The data keys 111arranged as above are put substantially between the control keys 112,and a space bar 118 included in the data keys 111 is put between some ofthe control keys 112. Thus, some control keys are in the row closest tothe operator (i.e. in the lowest row). The function keys 113 are in thetop row. Further, the keys are arranged to meet a predetermined standardsuch as the ASCII. For example, the key rows are made deviate from eachother in a predetermined manner according to the ASCII.

The data keys 111 are selectively arranged in a predetermined order. Asmentioned above, the space bar 118 is included in the row closest to theoperator. Cursor movement keys 114-117 are located in the front rightcorner between the control keys 112.

A first feature of the above-key arrangements will be described. Thefirst feature can be easily understood by comparing the conventional keyarrangements shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 with the key arrangements of thefirst embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

The first embodiment does not use those control keys which are providedin the rightmost column of the keyboard of the conventional personalcomputer shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, i.e. the “Home” key with a function formoving the cursor to the far left, the “End” key with a function formoving the cursor to the far right, the “PgUp” key with a function forreturning the cursor by one page, and the “PgDn” key with a function foradvancing the cursor by one page. In the usual keyboard, these keys aresituated at locations corresponding to the keys 1 b-1-1 b-4 in FIGS. 1,2 and 3. Moreover, in the first embodiment, an “Fn” key 112 b includedin the control keys 112 is located adjacent to, for example, a firstcursor movement key (for moving the cursor leftward) 114 which islocated at the right-side of the space bar 118, as is shown in FIGS. 5and 6 (in the conventional case shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the “Fn” key islocated at the right-side of the space bar). Adjacent to the firstcursor movement key 114, second through fourth cursor movement keys (formoving the cursor rightward, upward and downward, respectively) 115 to117 are provided at locations corresponding to their directions. Theimportant thing is to appropriately adjust the arrangement of the datakeys 111 and the control keys 112 so that the space bar 118 can besituated substantially in a predetermined position in the keyboard 23.For this reason, there may be a case where those data keys 111 orcontrol keys 112 which are usually located, for example, on the rightside of the space bar 118 should be located on the left side of it. Thespace bar 118 should be situated substantially in a predeterminedposition because it is used very often, and the operability of thekeyboard may well degrade if its position is greatly changed.

In the above-described key arrangement, the function of each of thecontrol keys which are not employed in this embodiment can be effectedby depressing a corresponding one of the first through fourth cursormovement keys 114-117 while the Fn key 112 b is depressed. Specifically,when the first cursor movement key 114 is depressed with the Fn key 112b depressed, the keyboard controller 20 generates a function code formoving the cursor to the leftmost row position. Similarly, when thesecond cursor movement key 115 is depressed with the Fn key 112 bdepressed, the keyboard controller 20 generates a function code formoving the cursor to the rightmost row position. Further, when the thirdcursor movement key 116 is depressed with the Fn key 112 b depressed,the keyboard controller 20 generates a function code for moving thecursor upward by one page. When the fourth cursor movement key 117 isdepressed with the En key 112 b depressed, the keyboard controller 20generates a function code for moving the cursor downward by one page.These function codes are output to the bus 14.

Thus, the key input device of the embodiment is constructed such thatthe key combination of the Fn key 112 b and each of the first throughfourth cursor movement keys 114-117 enables generation of the functioncodes for moving the cursor to the rightmost row position, for movingthe cursor to the leftmost row position, for moving the cursor upward byone page, and for moving the cursor downward by one page. This meansthat the operability of the computer does not degrade without theconventional “Home” key, “End” key, “Pgup” key and “PgDn” key, and hencethat the key pitch can be set greater to obtain a higher operabilitythan in the conventional case.

Moreover, as described above, in the embodiment, the Fn key 112 b islocated on the right side of the space bar 118 of a special shape andsize, and those data keys 111 or control keys 112 which are usuallylocated, for example, on the right side of the space bar 118 are locatedon the left side of it. Therefore, a more compact keyboard, which meetsthe ASCII keyboard arrangement, can be easily made by slightly improvingthe electric system such as wiring. Since in the embodiment, the Fn key112 b is located on the right side of the space bar 118, the operatorcan effect the functions of the omitted control keys using two fingersof the right hand, with the main body of the computer held by the lefthand. Thus, the operability at the time of effecting the functions ofthe control keys does not greatly differ from in the conventionalcomputer. Supposing that the keyboard 23 is divided into right-hand andleft-hand areas with respect to so-called a home position, to locate theFn key 112 b on the right side of the space bar 118 means to locate thiskey and the cursor movement keys 114-117 in the same right-hand area ofthe keyboard 23. In other words, if the cursor movement keys 114-117 arelocated in the left-hand area of the keyboard 23, it is preferable toprovide the Fn key 112 b in the same left-hand area.

By virtue of the above-described first feature which enables theomission of the conventional four control keys, the key pitch can beenlarged. To further enlarge the key pitch, a region R1 shown in FIG. 5is taken into consideration as a second feature. The region R1 is aso-called dead spot wherein no keys can be provided.

The second feature will now be described with reference to FIG. 8.

As is shown in FIG. 8, a “tab” key 112 a included in the control keys112 is located, for example, at one end of the second row on the basisof the ASCII arrangement. Further, at least one of alphabet keys (A-Z)included in the data keys 111 has a row-directional dimension shorterthan the other alphabet keys.

In the first embodiment, the size of each key is set such that A1<A2<A3is established, where A1 represents the row-directional dimension of the“tab” key 112 a, B the column-directional dimension of the “tab” key, A2the row-directional dimension of a “Q” key 111 a adjacent to the “tab”key 112 a, and A3 the row-directional dimension of a “W” key 111 badjacent to the “Q” key 111 a. The row-directional dimension of a “1”key 111 c located in the first row is set at the same value A3 as the“Q” key 111 a. Thus, the row-directional dimensions A1 and A2 of the“tab” key 112 a and the “Q” key 111 a are set such that a space Xbetween the “1” key 111 c and the “tab” key 112 a is minimized.Accordingly, the region R1 is minimized. Concerning thecolumn-directional dimension, the “tab” key 112 a, the “Q” key 111 a andthe “W” key 111 b are set at the same value.

The region R1 can be minimized by shortening only the row-directionaldimension A1 of the “tab” key 112 a. However, the frequency in use ofthe “tab” key 112 a depends upon, for example, an application program,and may be high in some cases. In light of such cases, the dimension A1of the “tab” key 112 a is prevented from being extremely shortened, andthe shortening of the “Q” key 111 a is considered, too.

The sizes of those keys will be more detailed. The (A1×B) size of the“tab” key 112 a is set at (13 mm×12 mm) in light of a normal rectangularsize of, for example, (15 mm×12 mm). Similarly, the (A2×B) size of the“Q” key 111 a is set at (14 mm×12 mm) in light of the normal rectangularsize of (15 mm×12 mm). As a result, the space X is reduced, and therow-directional dimension of each of the other data keys 111, controlkeys 112 and function keys 113 can be increased.

Thus, the dead space defined between the data key rows can be minimizedby shortening the row-directional dimension of at least one (i.e. the“Q” key) of the alphabet keys included in the data keys 111.Accordingly, the effective area of the keyboard 23 can be maximized,which means that the other keys can be enlarged with the keyboard 23kept compact, thereby enhancing the operability of the keyboard.

It should be particularly noted that the frequency in use of the “Q” key111 a, which is located adjacent to the “tab” key 112 a, is lower thanthose of the other data keys 111. In light of this, the row-directionaldimension of the “Q” key 111 a is shortened together with the “tab” key112 a.

As described above, in the first embodiment, a key pitch sufficient tokey input is secured in the compact keyboard. Further, in the firstembodiment, the key pitch is further increased by reducing the number ofkeys, and the key arrangement is devised so that the keyboard can havesufficient functions even with the reduced number of keys.

Referring then to FIG. 9, an input device according to a secondembodiment of the invention will be described. Since the computer systemto which the input device of the second embodiment is applied has thesame appearance and structure as those shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, nodescriptions will be given thereof. The second embodiment ischaracterized in that those data keys 111 which relate to the homeposition are taken into consideration.

As is shown in FIG. 9, guide bumps 120 and 121 indicative of the homeposition for right-hand and left-hand key operations are provided on a“F” key 111 d and a “J” key 111 e, respectively. The operator detectsthe guide bumps 120 and 121 and places the index finger of the left handon the guide bumps 120 and the index finger of the right hand on theguide bumps 121, thereby situating all fingers in the so-called homeposition.

Where both index fingers are situated in the home position, the operatorcan operate, using the index finger of the left hand, the “F” key 111 d,and a “V” key 111 f, a “R” key 111 g and a “4” key 111 h which arearranged in the same slanted column as the “F” key 111 d. Similarly, theoperator can operate, using the index finger of the right hand, the “J”key 111 e, and a “M” key 111 i, a “U” key 111 j and a “7” key 111 kwhich are arranged in the same slanted column as the “J” key 111 e.Further, the operator can operate, using the middle finger of the lefthand, a “C” key 111 l, a “D” key 111 m, an “E” key 111 n and a “3” key111 o, and operate, using the middle finger of the right hand, a signkey 111 p, a “K” key 111 q, an “I” key 111 r and an “8” key 111 s.

The data keys 111 d to 111 s (hatched keys in FIG. 9) operated by theindex and middle fingers of the right and left hands have arow-directional dimension A4 shorter than that A3 of the other datakeys.

Setting the data keys 111 d-111 s operated by the index and middlefingers (which operate keys with greater dexterity) of the right andleft hands at a shorter row-directional dimension enables enlargement ofthe other data keys 111 and the control keys 112 with the effective areaof the keyboard 23 minimized, and also enables realization of excellentkey operability with few erroneous operations.

Although in the second embodiment, the index fingers of both handsoperate the “F” key 111 d, the “V” key 111 f, the “R” key 111 g, the “4”key 111 h, the “J” key 111 e, the “M” key 111 i, the “U” key 111 j, andthe “7” key 111 k, the invention is not limited to this. For example, itcan be modified such that the row-directional dimension of a “B” key, a“G” key, a “T” key, a “5” key, an “N” key, an “H” key, a “Y” key, and a“6” key is shortened to enable the index fingers to handle them as wellas the above-mentioned keys.

In other words, the index fingers of both hands can operate the datakeys 111 d to 111 k which correspond to the guide bumps 120 and 121indicative of the home position, and also those data keys 111 which arelocated adjacent to the keys 111 d to 111 k, when their row-directionaldimension is shortened.

As detailed above, in the invention, a key pitch sufficient to key inputis secured in the compact keyboard. Further, in the invention, the keypitch is further increased by reducing the number of keys, and the keyarrangement is devised such that the keyboard has sufficient functionseven with the reduced number of keys.

Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to thoseskilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects isnot limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shownand described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be madewithout departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventiveconcept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic apparatus comprising: a keyboardincluding alphabetical keys arranged in at least four rows, a “Q” keylocated in the second uppermost row and being less wide than all otheralphabetical keys included in said at least four rows, each of saidother alphabetical keys having the same width, the second uppermost rowincluding a tab key at a leftmost end; and a controller which isconnected to said keyboard and generates a key code corresponding to adepressed key.
 2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, whereinsaid keyboard comprises a “QWERTY” keyboard.
 3. A keyboard comprising:alphabetical keys arranged in at least four rows, a “Q” key located inthe second uppermost row and being less wide than all other alphabeticalkeys included in said at least four rows, each of said otheralphabetical keys having the same width; control keys arranged onlateral sides of the alphabetical key arrangement; and function keysarranged in a row at the upper side of the data alphabetical keyarrangement.
 4. The keyboard according to claim 3, wherein saidalphabetical keys are arranged according to a “QWERTY” arrangement. 5.An electronic apparatus comprising: a keyboard including keys arrangedin five rows, the first row including function keys, the second rowincluding numerical keys, the third to fifth rows including alphabeticalkeys, the third row including a tab key at a leftmost end of thekeyboard and a “Q” key being less wide than all other numerical keysincluded in the second row and all other alphabetical keys included inthe third to fifth rows, each of said other keys having the same width;and a controller which is connected to said keyboard and generates a keycode corresponding to a depressed key.
 6. The electronic apparatusaccording to claim 5, wherein each of the five rows of keys arestaggered.
 7. The electronic apparatus according to claim 6, whereinsaid alphabetical keys and numerical keys are arranged according to a“QWERTY” arrangement.
 8. An electronic apparatus comprising: a keyboardincluding data keys arranged in at least four rows, the first rowincluding numerical keys, the second to fourth rows includingalphabetical keys, the keyboard including control keys arranged on bothsides of a data key arrangement, a data key included in the second rowand adjacent to the control key being less wide than all other numericalkeys included in the first row and all other alphabetical keys includedin the second to fourth rows, each of said other keys having the samewidth; and a controller which is connected to said keyboard andgenerates a key code corresponding to a depressed key.
 9. The electronicapparatus according to claim 8, wherein the data key included in thesecond row and adjacent to the control key comprises a “Q” key.
 10. Anelectronic apparatus comprising: a keyboard including alphabetical keysarranged in at least one row, a “Q” key located at one end of the rowand being less wide than other alphabetical keys; and a controller whichis connected to said keyboard and generates a key code corresponding toa depressed key.
 11. The electronic apparatus according to claim 10,wherein the “Q” key is disposed at a leftmost end of the alphabeticalkeys.
 12. A keyboard comprising: alphabetical keys arranged in at leastone row, a “Q” key located at one end of the row and being less widethan other alphabetical keys; control keys arranged on lateral sides ofthe alphabetical key arrangement; and function keys arranged in a row atthe upper side of the alphabetical key arrangement.
 13. The keyboardaccording to claim 12, wherein the “Q” key is disposed at a leftmost endof the alphabetical keys.